Lot 103L
Africa, Nigeria or Benin, Yoruba, ca. early 20th century CE. Quite unusual for its erotic subject matter, a skillfully carved and meticulously painted Gelede helmet mask composed of two parts - the expressive mask, here an abstract visage with wide open blue eyes, a wide nose, full red lips, eye holes and nasal holes for the wearer, and scarification marks, characteristically presenting an intense expression of concentration symbolizing the timelessness and infiniteness of the spirit world and perhaps anger - and the superstructure, in this case depicting a sexually explicit scene with one figure laying on her back with her arms tied behind her in bondage and the other mounted by white faced individual, all figures with articulated limbs and lower limbs covered by cotton fabric wraps, atop a plank. Masks such as this one are usually worn by male Yoruba dancers at festivals honoring the women of the community, both alive and deceased, especially the highly revered Great Mothers who include both the elderly females of the community and ancestors of Yoruba society - making this disturbing narrative somewhat surprising. Size: 15.5" W x 18.75" H (39.4 cm x 47.6 cm)
Gelede performances entertain and educate, their narratives and movements usually representing Yoruban ideals of male and female conduct as well as documenting interesting elements of everyday life, such as this transgressive act. For the Yoruba people, Gelede masquerades are a means of celebrating and recognizing the importance of females to their society, as the Gelede society whose purpose is the maintain peace is devoted to the mother of all orishas (deities), Yemoja who represents motherhood, family, sexuality, nurturing, and protection and is viewed as the matriarchal head of the universe.
Provenance: Ex-Adeon Gallery, Chicago, IL, acquired prior to 1970.
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#118536
- Condition: Age cracks and separations to the wood, the most noticeable down the center of the piece. Surface wear with some pigment loss and scuffs as shown. Fabric weathered as expected.
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